Aerospace company Marshall USA hires crew chiefs for its new Greensboro facility

Marshall USA has hired five crew chiefs for its Greensboro facility. They are (from left) Danny Hatley (from left), Dennis Smith, Adam Miller, Donshae Lawson, Marion McClary II, along with Marshall MRO Technical Delivery Manager Andy Doughty.

Marshall USA's new facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, has taken a major step forward with the recruitment of a first team of five highly qualified maintenance crew chiefs.

As construction of the 190,000-square-foot facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport rapidly progresses, these initial hires are key to ensuring the facility is operationally ready for the first aircraft inductions. The aerospace company, which was established in Cambridge, U.K., in 1909, plans to have the Greensboro site operational in 2025. 

The five crew chiefs will lead teams of mechanics, engineers, and support staff, taking responsibility for the safety, quality, and allocation of all maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activity work.

The new hires are U.S. citizens with extensive aircraft MRO experience, and many have in-depth knowledge of the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules platform. Most have also completed significant periods of active-duty military service, including with the U.S. Marine Corps.

They will be overseen by MRO Technical Delivery Manager Andy Doughty, who has planned and delivered Marshall’s highly successful program of work for the USMC over the past four years. Doughty and the five new crew chiefs have accumulated an impressive 117 years of aviation industry experience, including 75 years on the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules.

“One year since we broke ground on the Greensboro facility, I’m delighted to welcome Daniel (Hatley), Donshae (Lawson), Marion (R. McClary II), Adam (Miller), and Dennis (Smith) as our initial cadre of crew chiefs,” said Marianne Williams, Head of Operations (USA) at Marshall.

“This team possesses a wealth of C-130 platform experience and military backgrounds that give them excellent insight into the availability and capability needs of U.S.-based fleet operators.

“With this winning team behind us, the Greensboro facility will have everything it needs to start delivering in-country support for customers on day one.”

Given the specific nature of Marshall’s depth maintenance work, the new crew chiefs will undergo a bespoke 10-week structural maintenance training course at Guilford Technical Community College, a part 147 approved aviation training college in North Carolina. In January 2025, the crew chiefs will transition to on-the-job training, shadowing detailed depot-level tasks and learning the ways of working that have been honed by Marshall over its 115-year history.

“As the Piedmont Triad continues to grow its aviation economic development footprint around Piedmont Triad International Airport, GTCC is honored to support Marshall and others with customized training programs for its workforce,” shared GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D.

“As a veteran myself, it’s impressive to see how Marshall is working with transitioning military members as they enter into or expand their civilian careers, and the college is excited to be a part of that.”

While Marshall’s presence in Greensboro represents an ambitious expansion of its global aerospace capabilities, it will also bring significant benefit to the local community through the creation of new jobs and valuable training opportunities for the workforce while supporting economic activity in the area’s burgeoning aerospace and engineering sector.

Daniel Hatley is an experienced C-130 maintenance leader with over 15 years of service in the N.C. Air National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps. He has specialized expertise in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing C-130 aircraft systems – particularly hydraulic, flight control, landing gear, and fuel systems. Daniel is Red X Certified, giving him authority to validate airworthiness after critical maintenance tasks. He holds an AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology from the Community College of the Air Force and a BSBA in Management from East Carolina University. He has a strong background in leadership, training, and safety program management.

Donshae Lawson is an experienced aviation mechanic and flight engineer with over 11 years of expertise in aircraft maintenance, inspections, and system troubleshooting. While serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he specialized on the KC-130J tanker. As a flight engineer, he logged over 3,400 flight hours and performed more than 500 successful maintenance engine runs. His extensive maintenance experience includes system troubleshooting, engine and propeller work, electrical and hydraulic systems, and aircraft pressurization. Donshae has also trained and supervised numerous students in technical systems, reducing training times and enhancing operational efficiency.

With over 20 years of active-duty military service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Marion R. McClary II has a depth of knowledge that will be invaluable to drive military talent acquisitions, including 16 years in military aviation maintenance. He has worked at every level including basic maintainer, collateral duty inspector (CDI), collateral duty quality assurance representative (CDQAR), and senior maintenance control chief. Since leaving the U.S. Marine Corps in 2022, Marion has served as Director of Employer Engagement for NC4ME, a public-private partnership that helps military talent transition from service into employment within North Carolina’s businesses.

Adam Miller is transitioning out of the U.S. Marine Corps at the rank of Gunnery Sergeant this year, after 20 years of experience as an aviation technician working predominantly on the KC-130J tanker aircraft. He has served two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has held many senior roles within multiple squadrons over his career. Most recently, as an Airframes Division Chief for VGMR-153, Adam has overseen maintenance activities, managing the staffing for four different work centers and mentoring supervisors during complex maintenance evolutions to ensure safety and procedure compliance.

Dennis Smith is a seasoned aircraft maintenance technician with over 30 years of experience in military, cargo, and passenger aircraft maintenance. He has held key roles in various aviation sectors, from avionics technician and maintenance controller to leadership roles responsible for overseeing maintenance operations. In ten years as a U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate, Dennis performed organizational-level maintenance on the C-130 aircraft, with additional qualifications in maintaining propeller systems and powerplants. His expertise also includes conducting pre-run-up inspections, aircraft engine testing, and corrosion control, ensuring aircraft safety and readiness. Dennis is A&P certified and holds multiple FAA certifications.